Statistics, Surveys & Trends

Despite Recession, Overall Plastic Surgery Demand Drops Only 2 Percent From Last Year

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports almost 10 Million Cosmetic Procedures in 2009

NEW YORK, NY (March 09, 2010) – Almost 10 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2009, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Aesthetic Society, which has collected multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997, says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 147 percent since the tracking of the statistics first began. The most frequently performed nonsurgical procedure was injections of Botulinum Toxin Type A (including Botox and Dysport) and the most popular surgical procedure was breast augmentation.

"Plastic surgery is feeling the effects of the recession, just like many other sectors of the marketplace," said Renato Saltz, MD, Aesthetic Society President. "However, repeat patients and those putting off surgery, are likely the reason for the small growth in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Growth in demand will likely return as the recession eases and baby boomer's offspring begin to explore surgical options."

Women had 91 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on women was more than 9 million, a decrease of 3.4 percent from the previous year. Since 1997, surgical procedures increased 67 percent, while nonsurgical procedures have increased 225 percent.

Men had 9 percent of cosmetic procedures. The number of procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) performed on men was more than 900,000 an increase of 9 percent from the previous year.Surgical procedures decreased 3 percent; nonsurgical procedures increased 11 percent. Since 1997, surgical procedures have decreased 18 percent while nonsurgical procedures have increased 290 percent.

Racial and Ethnic Distribution
Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22 percent of all cosmetic procedures in 2009. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures: Hispanics, 9 percent; African-Americans, 6 percent; Asians, 4 percent; and other non-Caucasians, 3 percent.

Location and FeesOver fifty-eight percent (58 percent) of cosmetic procedures in 2009 were performed in office-based facilities; 23 percent in freestanding surgicenters; and 18 percent in hospitals. Americans spent almost $10.5 billion on cosmetic procedures; $6billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.5 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.About the ASAPS Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank

ASAPS, working with an independent research firm, compiled the 13-year national data for procedures performed 1997-2009. A paper-based questionnaire was mailed to 21,000 Board-Certified physicians (8,500 Dermatologists, 7,000 Otolarynologists, and 5,500 Plastic Surgeons). A total of 928 completed and valid responses (410 Plastic Surgeons, 347 Dermatologists, and 171 Otolaryngologists) were received in time for tabulation.

Final figures have been projected to reflect nationwide statistics and are based exclusively on the Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons; Otolaryngologists; and Dermatologists. The findings have been aggregated and extrapolated to the known population of 24,000 physicians who are Board Certified in these specialties. Though the confidence intervals change by procedure, depending on the grouping’s sample size and the response variance, the overall survey portion of this research has a standard error of +/- 3.15% at a 95% level of confidence.